It doesn’t appear that there will be any grand announcement during Marchand’s Cup Day parade in Halifax at the end of August. In fact, Arnott had an interesting response when asked if he was optimistic a deal will get done before Bruins training camp begins in earnest on Sept. 16.

“[I’m] hopeful, but it’s no sure thing,” said Arnott, casting the slightest shed of doubt that Marchand’s signing is an automatic.

Now ignoring Haggerty’s improper use of the idiom “in earnest,” the quote from Arnott at least arouses the slightest bit of intrigue during a summer of mostly silence from both the agent and Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli on the Marchand matter. Arnott could’ve easily said “I’m hopeful.” Instead he added the second clause which raises a sliver of doubt.

Arnott could be doing that to get everyone in a tizzy and shift a little pressure on the Bruins to concede a bit more in the talks. Or he might legitimately envision Marchand’s deal not getting until maybe late September. Perhaps that wouldn’t be the worse thing, especially if Marchand needs extra time to recover from a wild summer of celebrating.

Then there’s the scenario the Bruins have been through before with an Arnott client — an impasse that leads to a deal. This is starting to have the feel of Bruins vs. Arnott Part II. Ultimately, both sides won Round One when Phil Kessel was dealt to Toronto, where he got his money and has become the team’s marquee star. And the Bruins put the draft picks and cap space to good use. With that notch on their belt, the Bruins must feel as though they could turn this situation in their favor, regardless of the outcome.

It’s tough to tell which side has the leverage — the popular second-year winger or the Cup champs — right now in the eyes of the fans. But it might be wise for observers to lean a little toward the man who built the team that ended the drought over the player that might be putting his own interests a little bit higher than those of that team. After all, selflessness might’ve been the Cup-champion Bruins’ most important attribute last June.

He’s not going anywhere unless the Bruins are seriously low-balling him. Because he is a RFA, the compensation required would seriously prevent another team from significantly outbidding the Bruins. While the Phil Kessel trade was certainly a huge haul for the Bruins, I believe what they received is not that different from what they would have received if Kessel had just signed with the Leafs as an RFA.

DaveinJersey,
do you listen to NESN? They were saying it during the season and all through July that the deal would get done. Yes, Kessel didn’t like being held accountable, but he did it, which did lead to the thought that he would stay here. Also, if you have enough time to rip on people for a lapse in memory, maybe you should try getting ready for the hurricane heading towards you since you live in jersey (or run to canada and club a baby seal).

I don’t think this is Marchand as much as Arnott. The kid who punches a Sedin in the face who is loved all over the city who gets free drinks anywhere he goes ( and goes everywhere to drink for free) This kid is youthful fun loving right now you can’t tell me he is a hard nose business man at this point. Arnott or Peter are slowing down this one not the kid

I think it is time for Marchand and his agent to realize that the style the Marchand plays is protected, somewhat, in Boston. Imagine if he came into Boston and played the way he does for another team. Lucic, or Mcquaid, or Thornton, or Horton, or Chara would chase him out of the rink. He also plays beside one of the premier centres in the NHL today, Bergeron. I believe Marchand is an important cog in the Bruin team, but he and his agent must realize that Brad flourishes in the Boston system. If he wants Lucic money, he still has a way to go before he earns it.
The ring looks good on you Brad, but you have more fingers to fill.

As much as I loved the way he played in the playoffs,
I hope he doesn’t think that 41 points means Lucic kind
of money! Sometimes I just wish that players didn’t have
agents who care only about their pay and not the
well being of their clients. Kessel anyone?

David, what pipe are you pulling from? NOBODY expected Kessel to sign, he was making it obvious since Christmas that he hated Julien and his coaching system. You don’t remember “weight room is that way, Phil…”??

And Marchand is coming out of his entry level deal, there was no right to arbitration for RFA’s coming out of entry levels. Dumbass.

I don’t think this feels like the Kessel situation at all. It was clear even when the Bruins still had Kessel that he was not in favor with the higher-ups, but it’s the complete opposite with Marchmont. Claude secretly loves all of his antics, and had a hard time punishing him in the regular season… what was it a period on the 4th line for that dirty hit?

I personally think Marchands agent played it all wrong here. The buzz will never be as high for Brad as it was right after his great playoffs. The further from there we get, the more his contract will be based on his meager 41 points in the reg season.

Everyone was certain Kessel would stay in Boston too at the beginning of that summer, although there was less positive signs coming from Kessel than there is from Marchand. If he wants too much, it may be best to walk away, but the fact no arbitration was ever called for is also a good sign.